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FaultScore report

2006 GMC Sierra 3500 problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 with NHTSA between 2008 and 2026. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 26 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the GMC Sierra 3500 All 2006 cars
C

FaultScore 50/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the GMC Sierra 3500.

How this is worked out

The numbers

14

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

45,949 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

23%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 24 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 39 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the GMC Sierra 3500. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
28.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 39
23% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2006 compares with every other GMC Sierra 3500

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2006 GMC Sierra 3500

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 28.6%

Median failure at 37,000 miles

Steering 3 21.4%

Median failure at 86,578 miles

Brakes 2 14.3%

Median failure at 120,054 miles

Airbags 2 14.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 69,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 2 14.3%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 300 mi

Tires 1 7.1%

Median failure at 45,949 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 2 15.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 5 38.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 15.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 15.4%
150,000+ miles 2 15.4%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 2008 peak 3 Jan 2026

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 69,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT, VEHICLE DRIVEN INTO REAR OF PICK-UP AND U-HAUL TRAILER ON HIGHWAY 50 CANYON CITY,CO ,LEFT FRONT SIDE OF GMC 3500 DESTROYED ALONG WITH HOOD AREA AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF GMC3500. GMC TOTALED DRIVER SUFFERED BROKEN NECK. PHOTOS OBTAINED BUT NOT ABLE TO UPLOAD.

NHTSA complaint #10780533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300 miles Santa FE, NM Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE DRIVING 10-75 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART BY ITSELF AFTER DRIFTING FOR 50 YARDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THICK, BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EXHAUST AND INSTALLED A NEW PROGRAMMER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,439.

NHTSA complaint #10218161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300 miles Santa FE, NM Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE DRIVING 10-75 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART BY ITSELF AFTER DRIFTING FOR 50 YARDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THICK, BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EXHAUST AND INSTALLED A NEW PROGRAMMER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,439.

NHTSA complaint #10218161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

East Haven, CT

AIR BAGS

The front impact sensor, also known as a crash sensor (part # 10370150), is no longer functional. It detects rapid vehicle deceleration during a frontal collision and sends an immediate signal to the Airbag Control Unit (ACU) to deploy airbags. Located behind the front bumper or on the radiator support, these sensors measure impact severity to ensure airbags deploy only when necessary. This part is no longer available from GM or any other aftermarket distributor. It is a critical part for any occupants in a crash. I am just one of many people who cannot make safety corrections.

NHTSA complaint #11714436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 161,108 miles Medina, OH

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED INTO THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND ALL OF THE HOSES AFFECTED BY THE BRAKE FLUID WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,108.

NHTSA complaint #10984924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 161,108 miles Medina, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED INTO THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND ALL OF THE HOSES AFFECTED BY THE BRAKE FLUID WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,108.

NHTSA complaint #10984924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT, VEHICLE DRIVEN INTO REAR OF PICK-UP AND U-HAUL TRAILER ON HIGHWAY 50 CANYON CITY,CO ,LEFT FRONT SIDE OF GMC 3500 DESTROYED ALONG WITH HOOD AREA AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF GMC3500. GMC TOTALED DRIVER SUFFERED BROKEN NECK. PHOTOS OBTAINED BUT NOT ABLE TO UPLOAD.

NHTSA complaint #10780533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,000 miles Wilmington, DE

SERVICE BRAKES

I WENT OUT TO MY TRUCK IN THE MORNING AND MY DASH BOARD INDICATOR TOLD ME TO GET MY BRAKES CHECKED; EVERYTHING WAS FINE THE NIGHT BEFORE. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO MYMECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT MY BRAKE LINE IS CORRODED AND BROKEN. ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THIS A RECURRING AND CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE GMC SIERRAS. I HAVE MY TRUCK SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THIS HAS NEVER BEEN MENTIONED TO ME. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ITEM! SERIOUS SAFETY THREAT. CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS OCCURRED 2 DAYS LATER WHEN I WAS PULLING OUR 40 FOOT RV. SHOULDN'T GM BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS? MY TRUCK IS NOW IN THE SHOP GETTING THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10637206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Dardanelle, AR

STEERING

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED INTO PLACE. I HAD TO JERK IT HARD IN ORDER TO GET IT TO RELEASED FROM THE LOCKED POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY. CAN EASILY CAUSE A CRASH. NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10482385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,949 miles Elyria, OH

TIRES

NO EVENT JUST EVERY DAY DRIVING AND A TIRE A YEAR LEAKS FROM INNER LINING TO FORM A BUBBLE ON OUTSIDE OF TIRE WHICH BLOWS OUT. A TIRE A YEAR FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10406148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles East Aurora, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10349466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles East Aurora, NY

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10349466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,578 miles Beacon Falls, CT

STEERING

ON MARCH 8,2010 I TOOK MY CAR THAT I BOUGHT 2 YEARS AGO TO AN OFFICIAL EMISSIONS INSPECTION STATION; THE VEHICLE FAILED. AT THIS TIME I WAS GIVEN A SET OF RECALL PAPERS 09014 SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT ENGINE CONTROL MODULE- EMISSION RELATED REPROGRAMMING THAT EXPLAINED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. IN THE MEAN TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO GM . THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $125 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BY THE TIME THEY WERE DONE I HAD A BILL FOR $280 AND TOLD IT WOULD COST OVER $1000TO FIX THE CAR SO THAT COULD PASS (THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN TO RECEIVE COMMUNICATION I SEE THERE IS A RECALL ON THAT) I WANT TO STATE THAT I SHOWED THE WORKERS AT GM THE PAPERS SHOWING WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BUT I WAS TOLD THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM AND THEY THEN TOLD ME IF I WANT IT FIXED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.THIS OCCURRED AFTER I SIGNED A PAPER ALLOWING THEM TO "LOOK" AT THE CAR . I NEED SOMEONE IN AUTHORITY TO HELP ME FIND OUT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY GM AND WHETHER OR NOT THE ACTION OF GM WAS FRAUDULENT. THANK YOU TOOK THE VEHICLE INSPECTION TO THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT ON 3/19/2010 AND IT PASS INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #10321261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Yakima, WA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44000.

NHTSA complaint #10296732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,210 miles West Rutland, VT

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

TRANSMISSION COOLING PIPES HAVE BEEN REPLACE TWO TIMES IN LAST THAN 20 MONTHS BECAUSE OF FLUID LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10219627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300 miles Santa FE, NM Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE DRIVING 10-75 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART BY ITSELF AFTER DRIFTING FOR 50 YARDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THICK, BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EXHAUST AND INSTALLED A NEW PROGRAMMER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,439.

NHTSA complaint #10218161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300 miles Santa FE, NM Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE DRIVING 10-75 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART BY ITSELF AFTER DRIFTING FOR 50 YARDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THICK, BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EXHAUST AND INSTALLED A NEW PROGRAMMER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,439.

NHTSA complaint #10218161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.